21 February 2022 08:41 am Views - 87
By Yohan Perera
The Catholic Bishops Conference yesterday alleged that there is a move to acquit all who have been identified by the Presidential Commission of inquiry as responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks which will lead to a complete miscarriage and erosion of justice in these circumstances.
“We are of the firm view that granting a degree of immunity to an officer in the nature of DIG Nilantha Jayawardene who had neglected and failed to dispense his duties without due vigilance and professionalism, and instead making such person a crown witness would lead to a complete miscarriage and erosion of justice in these circumstances. Taking into consideration the aforesaid we express serious concern that there would arise a high likelihood that all officers against whom criminal proceedings are recommended by the commission of inquiry reported would be fully discharged. Thereby our people would be completely denied our cry for truth and justice,” the statement by the Catholic Bishops Conference said.
Also the Bishops Conference reminded that no steps have been taken to file criminal proceedings on former President Maithripala Sirisena as it is recommended by the commission report.
“We urgently appeal that the remaining volumes of the aforesaid commission report will be made available to us,” the statement added.
Meanwhile President of the Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops Conference Bishop Winston Fernando urged the head of state and all other politicians to act according to their conscience and act accordingly to let the truth come out.